YOUR VETERAN STUDENT Jenna Jelinek University of Nebraska Medical Center jenna.jelinek@unmc.edu o: 402-559-7230 c: 402-719-9442
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VETERAN Someone who has served in the US Armed Forces and whose discharge has been characterized as anything other than dishonorable. Statistics include individuals who are entitled to these benefits other than the veteran alone (spouses, children, etc).
Why should I worry about them? Among the approximately 800,000 military veterans now attending U.S. colleges, an estimated 88% drop out of school during their first year 3% graduate and only, according a report forwarded by the University of Colorado Denver, citing a March 22, 2012 study by the Colorado Workforce Development Council. (2)
Why should I worry about them? VA Health System Access to Care Quality of Care Women s Health Education Accessible Learning Support Mentoring Peer Support Reintegration National Guard Reserves Transitioning Employment
Who Are They? What s the Difference? Active Duty Reserves National Guard More Than Full Time Job Maintaining Readiness Part Time Full Time Job Maintain Readiness / Civilian Job Federally Paid/Funded State Paid / Fill in for Active Duty State and Federal Funded Commander in Chief - President No Domestic Responsibilities Often Deployed Overseas/Out of Country Merchant Marines Navy Auxiliary Mariners -Civilians, only considered military during wartime -Considered veterans only if served in war Commander in Chief State Governor Often Deployed In-State Can Deploy Out of Country Veteran Status = 30 days in war zone No Navy, Marines, or Coast Guard component
Where do they come from? Active Duty Reserves National Guard Can be assigned within the US or internationally Assigned unit is within the US or internationally loaned out Assigned unit is within the US, rarely assigned overseas Can be from any state or US territory Often joined to be close to home Just as with any other population of students, military-affiliated and veteran students come from all kinds of socio-economic backgrounds, diverse experiences, educational needs, and support systems.
What s their Problem? Reintegration and Identity Who am I now? I am too different. Who are these people? This is too hard. What is expected of me? What am I doing? I can t do this. What can I do? What s next? I can t relate to them. Where will I live? What about my family? How can I use my skills? I don t meet their expectations. There s nothing for me here. They don t know me. I m not supported here. Where are my Battle Buddies? What? Who can I become?
What s their Problem? The VA can be a HOT MESS. Encourage care. Encourage treatment. Well body = well mind. Be supportive.
What s their Problem? Non-Traditional Students Unique vantage point Don t usually stay in dorms Often have families, school-aged children Often significantly older than class peers Possibly separated from family or social support
What s their Problem? Socializing with Student Peers Different set of values Military Humor Age Gaps Different Interests, Hobbies Importance of peer-to-peer support -Veterans, Spouses, Family Members all have different support needs
What s their Problem? Stereotyping and Social Stigmas The Public s Perception Vets with PTSD have anger problems All veterans have seen combat He s missing a leg so he s broken. That s just the way she is now. The Vet s Perception This community doesn t support me. The campus environment is volatile for vets. I can t be another statistic. They think I don t want to succeed.
What Do They Want? What Can I Do About It? Education Early recognition of learning-based difficulties *even in GME* Grades & Performance Examples: Attention Difficulties Situational Awareness Identify Assist Acknowledge
What Do They Want? What Can I Do About It? Local Resources VA Information On-hand VetSuccess on Campus Women s Health Center State or County Veteran s Services Office Transition Programs Identify Assist Acknowledge
What Do They Want? What Can I Do About It? Campus Resources Military Support Office Student Veterans Association Faculty / staff veterans who can mentor Identify Assist Acknowledge
What Do They Want? What Can I Do About It? Family Support Campus Events Include Families Single Parent Students Engagement with Peers Networking with similar families Recognize the Families Giving Back Identify Assist Acknowledge
What Do They Want? What Can I Do About It? What Can Your Program Do? Identify Assist Acknowledge
What Do They Want? Educated Faculty and Staff Our struggles are legitimate. Time lapse since last schooling Suicide/self harm risk with stress Self Care Chronic Medical Issues Pain, Sleep, Anxiety, Anger, Disabilities { Substance Abuse Service Dogs Isolation PTSD TBI MST
What Do They Want? Educated Faculty and Staff Service Dogs Covered by the ADA All non-sterile areas Seizures, Migraines, PTSD, Mobility, Diabetes, etc. Wheelchair? Interpreter? Glucose Monitor? Time Lapse Suicide & Self Harm Self Care Chronic Medical Issues Substance Abuse
What Do They Want? Educated Faculty and Staff Isolation and Victimization Why don t they ask me for study help? Just because I have PTSD and take my dog everywhere doesn t mean I m unapproachable. Everyone always recognizes you every day in the military---they know when you don t show up. Here I feel like I fell off the grid. Time Lapse Suicide & Self Harm Self Care Chronic Medical Issues Substance Abuse
What Do They Want? Educated Faculty and Staff Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Greater with Fatigue Everyone Has Different Triggers & Manifestations Not all Soldiers/Sailors/Airmen/Marines have PTSD. Not everyone who has PTSD is a Soldier/Sailor/Airman/Marine. Not everyone with PTSD have it from combat. A significant number of servicemembers with PTSD from combat have experienced incidents that involved children or medical incidents. Time Lapse Suicide & Self Harm Self Care Chronic Medical Issues
Earl Granville Noah Galloway Post Traumatic Growth
What Do They Want? Educated Faculty and Staff Traumatic Brain Injuries Loss of Vision, Hearing Attention Deficits Sensory Processing Difficulty with Abstract Reasoning Not Always Visible Time Lapse Suicide & Self Harm Self Care Chronic Medical Issues Substance Abuse
What Do They Want? Educated Faculty and Staff Military Sexual Trauma MST Both male and female Breach in leadership and/or unit cohesion Triggers Same-sex faculty/staff support *Each VA facility has an MST Coordinator to help establish care at no cost to the veteran despite VA status. Time Lapse Suicide & Self Harm Self Care Chronic Medical Issues Substance Abuse
What Does My Veteran Student Bring to the Table? Ability to lead and follow Vantage Point Pride in Training Compassion to Serve Ability to Adapt to Change Strength to Make Quick Decisions Real-world experience